mareana

I am in month 2 of 4 of my pre op stages. I have good days and bad days. Today is a bad day.
I just keep thinking to myself, "is it worth all this money?" I keep getting bill after bill for each appointment, and then I keep thinking, Jesus dude, I still have to pay $6,000 for surgery!! Like, why am I doing this to myself? I'm trying to live my life and do things and I can't because I have to save every penny extra for all these appointments and the huge expense of surgery. My boyfriend is very good at getting me to see the big picture but when I am sitting here stuck in my head I stress myself out so much about it. Not only am I going to have life altering surgery, I'm going to pay a life altering amount of money for it. That money could go toward a house, my retirement account, or a wedding!
But I just keep thinking of the phrase "invest in yourself".
I could spend $6,000 on gym, special diets, or junk food in one year.
To look at it that way puts it into such a different perspective. I can change my life for less than $10,000 and lose this weight, be happier and healthier, and live a longer life and spend my old age with my amazing partner and my future children. That's what gets me. Those future children. I have to be healthy for them and teach them how to live a healthy life!
I guess I just need to remember "invest in yourself, and think about those future kids"
I guess I just needed to rant. No one around me understand what's happening in my head and you guys make my day better because you know what it's like.

I am in month 2 of 4 of my pre op stages. I have good days and bad days. Today is a bad day.
I just keep thinking to myself, "is it worth all this money?" I keep getting bill after bill for each appointment, and then I keep thinking, Jesus dude, I still have to pay $6,000 for surgery!! Like, why am I doing this to myself? I'm trying to live my life and do things and I can't because I have to save every penny extra for all these appointments and the huge expense of surgery. My boyfriend is very good at getting me to see the big picture but when I am sitting here stuck in my head I stress myself out so much about it. Not only am I going to have life altering surgery, I'm going to pay a life altering amount of money for it. That money could go toward a house, my retirement account, or a wedding!
But I just keep thinking of the phrase "invest in yourself".
I could spend $6,000 on gym, special diets, or junk food in one year.
To look at it that way puts it into such a different perspective. I can change my life for less than $10,000 and lose this weight, be happier and healthier, and live a longer life and spend my old age with my amazing partner and my future children. That's what gets me. Those future children. I have to be healthy for them and teach them how to live a healthy life!
I guess I just need to remember "invest in yourself, and think about those future kids"
I guess I just needed to rant. No one around me understand what's happening in my head and you guys make my day better because you know what it's like.

I am in month 2 of 4 of my pre op stages. I have good days and bad days. Today is a bad day.
I just keep thinking to myself, "is it worth all this money?" I keep getting bill after bill for each appointment, and then I keep thinking, Jesus dude, I still have to pay $6,000 for surgery!! Like, why am I doing this to myself? I'm trying to live my life and do things and I can't because I have to save every penny extra for all these appointments and the huge expense of surgery. My boyfriend is very good at getting me to see the big picture but when I am sitting here stuck in my head I stress myself out so much about it. Not only am I going to have life altering surgery, I'm going to pay a life altering amount of money for it. That money could go toward a house, my retirement account, or a wedding!
But I just keep thinking of the phrase "invest in yourself".
I could spend $6,000 on gym, special diets, or junk food in one year.
To look at it that way puts it into such a different perspective. I can change my life for less than $10,000 and lose this weight, be happier and healthier, and live a longer life and spend my old age with my amazing partner and my future children. That's what gets me. Those future children. I have to be healthy for them and teach them how to live a healthy life!
I guess I just need to remember "invest in yourself, and think about those future kids"
I guess I just needed to rant. No one around me understand what's happening in my head and you guys make my day better because you know what it's like.

I haven't had surgery yet but I have only told important people. My parents, sisters, in laws, my boss and HR Person, and my really close friends/coworkers. I haven't really decided what I'm going to tell people. Everyone in my life including coworkers know that I have been trying to lose weight for years. I'm the one who says no to donuts and cake on birthdays so they already know I'm trying to lose the weight so once it starts really happening hopefully they are expecting it. I think I will just say whatever comes out of my mouth at the time of the question. I'm in no way ashamed, but people are very judgy. All they need to know is what you want them to know. And diet and exercise is a real thing that you're doing so it's not a lie. You worked really hard and they don't need to know that you had surgery to help. You are working your butt off to meet your goal and that's what matters! And that's all people need to know. You needed a change and you made it happen.

I literally have told everyone. I'm not ashamed of taking control of my life and maybe it'll help someone because they may want it and can ask me questions. I didn't wanna have to keep up with lies, either and it's pretty obvious in most cases anyway, especially since I'm in the medical field. Each their own, though!

Yeah, I understand.
This whole process is stressful.
I would say go ahead and call your insurance, put your mind at ease.

They use highest documented weight within last year I was told

I would say call your insurance provider and ask.
Or ask your doctors office, I am sure they have encountered this before.
Last option, don't loose too much weight before surgery [emoji6]

They usually go by your recent documented w dr ... I was worried about that too because I'm right at 40 BMI.. before losing .. because tend to below 40 when I try to lose weight even 5 or 10 pounds..
I've been diagnosed w sleep apnea & now fluctuating high blood pressure.. that's what caused me to look into the sleeve surgery

The first weigh in is what they go by or should be going by. I wouldn't worry.
@kins117 I'm surprised they submitted your current. Did they say that in the beginning of your program?

I was also worried about it because I was on the cusp of 40 BMI. My doctor told me that insurance looks at your original BMI as the qualifying BMI. I was approved even though my BMI dipped down to 39.5 after the supervised diet.

My surgeon did put my most recent weight on my submittal to insurance. I didn't lose too much in those 2 months though so I was about 41 BMI at time of submitting.

Shalom
Hypnosis/Meditation works wonders for me if I us it faithfully. I use "THE WAIT IS OVER" by Roberta Shipiro available on Amazon.

Blessings

Ari

Mine isn't too bad. I've just switched out my breakfast for a Protein Shake and make healthier alternatives. Started taking more Vitamins. I've always managed to make healthy meals, so it's easy on that part, just opting for more plant based foods. When I want pizza, I go for all veggie and thin crust (2-3 small slices). Say what!? "She's eating pizza!" Lol. It's all in moderation. If you can get moderation down, then its all good. Can't stand Pasta, rice, and sweets, so I'm pretty safe there. But the hardest part for me is the NOT drinking during meals and sipping. I know I'll be forced to sip, so I'm confident I'll be ok. Just hard to practice it now.
my advice to you is to not have those things you shouldn't have (or you can't control yourself around) in the house. It's a mind battle. Your body will be just fine without it all.

Sounds like you need some fat. Remember, eating fat is not bad if it's from a natural source such as butter, cream, animal fats, etc. If you eat fat while consuming high carb, then that fat has something to stick to...the starch. When you keep your carbs low, the fat will go right through you. Your brain and body needs it for energy, to combat those cravings and keep you full.
When I'm eating under 20 net carbs (carbohydrates minus the Fiber equals net carbs), I aim to eat 100 grams of fat a day. So for Breakfast I'll have an omelet with a couple of slices of bacon. lunch can be tuna salad over greens or home made cheddar broccoli Soup. dinner can be chicken/beef/pork with green vegetables. Always use real butter over margarine and never eat sugar. If you've never ate like this before, it will be a mental struggle since all you've known until now is that fat is bad. Also, you'll go through sugar/carbs/crap detox for a several days. That means a lot of peeing, pooping, and irritability. Just like any detox. Once you ride that out, you'll find a natural high like never before. When I'm in ketosis, I find it hard to sleep because my energy level is so high. I also lose between 15-20 pounds a month. Remember to take your Vitamins and make sure you drink at least 64 ounces of water!
You can do this!

What are considered low carb if you don't mind me asking? im trying to do a high protein, low card too but im not sure as in what options I have for low card. @blizair09

Hi everyone! I have just started this process. I am going to the nutritionist on Monday and will be starting my 4 month supervised diet. Does anyone have any advice for me? I have a million thoughts and feelings and I can talk to my boyfriend and family but no one really understands. I am worried about having lose skin. I'm 23 and all I want to do is wear shorts!! Does any one have any advice on workouts that will help tone and prevent? Any products that have helped with lose skin? Lotions/wraps? I want to do anything I possibly can to help prevent as much as possible. Also, any advice on how to prepare for post op? What should I start stocking up on besides the obvious things like soups/protein shakes, etc.? I will be having surgery in July and want to be as prepared as possible for what is to come.
I also have to do a 2 week pre op Optifast liquid diet. What helped you get through those 2 weeks?